Mr. William Valentine, of Westport Point, Mass., has carefully looked into this matter and thinks this the only way that this place (Adamsville) can ever be successfully reached. Hoping this may meet with your approval, and that it may be surveyed soon so that the report may be sent in at the coming meeting of Congress, I remain yours, very respectfully, ABRAHAM MANCHESTER, P. M. P. S.-I inclose a few of the many names of our people who are interested in this enterprise and desirous of having the survey, and hope for an appropriation in the near future. Yours truly, ABRAHAM MANCHESTER. PETITION OF THE CITIZENS OF ADAMSVILLE, RHODE ISLAND. DEAR SIR: We, the undersigned, would respectfully represent and petition your honorable body, asking that a survey may be made of the west branch of Westport River from Westport Harbor to Adamsville, beginning at a point in the channel called the Lion's Tongue, which needs widening, thence to Adamsville Wharf. The channel in most places needs widening and deepening to accommodate the steamboats and sailing-vessels which are in constant use on this river, transporting merchandise, grain, and produce. We would also ask that this survey might be made so that a report of the same may be made to the committee at the next meeting of Congress. [Signed by Capt. O. P. Head and eighty-one others. ] PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF TAUNTON RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS. ENGINEER OFFICE, U. S. ARMY, Newport, R. I., December 29, 1888. GENERAL: In compliance with Department letter of September 29, 1888, I have the honor to submit the following report of the prelimi nary examination of Taunton River, Massachusetts, provided for in the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888: Taunton River rises in Norfolk County, Mass., and empties into Mount Hope Bay, a name given to the northeast part of Narraganset Bay. It is 44 miles in length, measured along its course. It has been improved by the United States under appropriations made in the years 1852-1884, amounting to $160,000. The object of the improvement is to deepen and widen the channel leading to the city of Taunton, at the head of navigation, which requires large quantities of coal, iron, clay, molding sand, and other heavy articles for its manufactories, depend ing largely on water transportation, so that vessels of 11 feet draught can reach the city at high water. In its original condition the channel was narrow and obstructed by bowlders, and in some places the depth was not more than 5 feet at high water. A vessel of 30 tons burden was as large as could go up to Taunton. The project under which the work was carried on provided for a channel of the following dimensions: .. From Weir Bridge to the ship-yard, 60 feet wide, 11 feet deep; from ship-yard to and through the "Needles" and Brigg's Shoal, 80 feet wide, 100 feet at the bends, 11 feet deep; from Brigg's Shoal to Berk ley Bridge, 80 feet wide, 100 feet at the bends, 12 feet deep; from Berkley Bridge to the deep water at Dighton, 100 feet wide, 12 feet deep. The depths are estimated from high water. The ledge which crossed the bottom of the river at Peter's Point, and the numerous bowlders which lay on the bottom and sides of the channel from Taunton to Dighton, we: e to be removed. This project has been completed, with the exceptions that but 40 feet of the 60 feet of width could be dredged between the bridge at Weir and the ship-yard, on account of interfering with private property, and that, on account of the hardness and depth of the material at the sides the 80-foot channel was not in all cases dredged to its full width between the ship-yard and Berkley Bridge. During the working season of 1887 a small amount of ledge rock above the plane of the bottom of the channel was uncovered by the dredging below Peter's Point. After the removal of this the channel below Berkley Bridge will be completed. The object of the further improvement of the river is the widening of the 80-foot channel to its full dimensions where it is too narrow, the removal of the bowlders obstructing the channel between Berkley Bridge and Taunton, and the removal of the small amount of ledge rock in the channel below Peter's Point. In compliance with the river and harbor act of August 5, 1886, a preliminary examination and survey were made of this river, the re ports upon which, together with a map of the survey, were published in House Ex. Doc. No. 86, Fiftieth Congress, first session. also The following extracts are taken from the report of the survey; the accompanying map. The areas in which it is proposed to dredge are shaded on the accompanying map and are in the following localities: (1) At the points indicated from just below Pioneer Rock to about 300 feet above the mouth of Three-Mile River. (2) At Burt's Turn. (3) At Pond Rock's Shoal. (4) In the upper part of the channel at Weir Village. (5) It is also proposed to remove the small amount of ledge rock uncovered in dredging between Peter's Point and Dighton, and to remove the bowlders in and near the channel between Berkley Bridge and Weir. The estimated cost of completing the approved project is $14,051. The channel as projected is shown on the map by a broken and dotted line. There is also shown, in the localities referred to above, a full line indicating a channel 60 feet wide in the narrowest places and 90 feet wide at the bends, which, it is estimated, could be completed for $4,500. No new facts bearing on the question have been brought to my notice since the date of my report of November 21, 1887, on the survey made in October of that year. No further survey of the river is required to comply with the provisions of the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888. In my opinion, Taunton River is worthy of improvement, according to the project already approved. The estimated cost of completing this improvement is $14,051. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. A. Major of Engineers. C 19. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF FISHING-PLACE COVE, NEAR SEACONNET POINT, RHODE ISLAND, WITH VIEW TO CONSTRUCTING A BREAKWATER. ENGINEER OFFICE, U. S. ARMY, Newport, K. I., December 14, 1888. GENERAL: In compliance with instructions contained in Department letter of September 29, 1888, I have the honor to submit the following report upon the preliminary examination of Fishing-Place Cove, near Seaconnet Point, Rhode Island, provided for in the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, and made by me on the 30th of October last. Fishing Place Cove is about three-fourths of a mile north of Seaconnet Point, in the southwestern part of Little Compton Town, Newport County, R. I. In 1827 this point, known as Church's Cove, was surveyed by Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson, of the Topographical Engineers and Lieutenant Prescott, First Artillery, who prepared a project for a breakwater here, extending north about 400 feet from the rock forming the southwestern limit of the cove. On visiting the site I found the remains of an old breakwater which appeared to have been built for about 200 feet from shore, and all but the shore end in ruins. A wharf had been built immediately to the east of this, for a steam boat landing. The inhabitants of the neighborhood told me that they had petitioned to bave this breakwater rebuilt. Isaac W. Howland writes from Little Compton that he is the agent of the steamer Queen City and would like to have the break water extend out to a certain rock about 250 feet from shore. A copy of his letter is forwarded herewith. This is the only landing place on the shores of Little Compton; it is important to the fishing interests, and if protected by a breakwater would form a convenient harbor of refuge for small vessels navigating the coast. It is roughly estimated that for $5,000 the breakwater could be restored for at least a portion of its length, and a small area inside the cove could be dredged so as to somewhat increase the anchorage area for sinall vessels. In my opinion Fishing-Place Cove is worthy of improvement by the General Government, and I estimate the cost of a survey of the locality at $200. Seaconnet River is in the collection district of Newport, which is a port of entry. The amount of revenue collected at Newport in the last fiscal year was $2,184.51. The nearest light-house is Seaconnet Light; the nearest fortification is Fort Adams, Newport, R. I. The population of Little Compton by the Rhode Island State census of 1885 was 1,055. A tracing of Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson's map of 1827, showing the location of the proposed improvement, is herewith inclosed. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. A. W. R. LIVERMORE, LETTER FROM MR. ISAAC W. HOWLAND. LITTLE COMPTON, November 16, 1888. SIR: In relation to the breakwater at Seaconnet Poiut, we as owners of steamer Queen City want one to extend out to a certain rock that is about 250 feet from shore. Our boat is over 100 feet long and it is impossible to lay here over night with a fresh breeze. As many as thirty vessels make harbor here at times. With such a breakwater the steamer could stay over night, and be a better harbor for others. Any other information required would be glad to give you. Yours, respectfully, Major LIVERMORE. ISAAC W. HOWLAND, Agent Queen City. C 20. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF GREENWICH BAY, TO DEEPEN WATER ON THE BAR AT LONG POINT, RHODE ISLAND. ENGINEER OFFICE, U. S. ARMY, Newport, R. I., December 14, 1888. GENERAL: In compliance with instructions contained in Department letter of September 29, 1888, I have the honor to submit the following report upon the preliminary examination of Greenwich Bay, Rhode Island, provided for in the river and harbor act of August 11, 1888, and made by Capt. Thomas L. Casey, Corps of Engineers, on the 19th October last. Greenwich Bay is an arm of Narragansett Bay, and is located in Warwick and East Greenwich towns, Kent County, R. I. It has a length from northwest to southeast of about three and one-half miles and an average width of about one and one-half miles. The town of East Greenwich is located on the southwestern shore of the bay. Captain Casey's report, herewith inclosed, explains the nature of the improvement desired as well as the demands of commerce. The cost of the improvement is roughly estimated at $2,000. In my opinion Greenwich Bay is worthy of improvement by the General Government, and I estimate the cost of a survey of the locality at $250. Greenwich Bay is in the collection district of Providence, which is a port of entry. The amount of revenue collected at Providence in the last fiscal year was $222,195.01. The nearest light-house is Warwick Light. The nearest fortification is the fort on Dutch Island, Rhode Island. The population of East Greenwich by the Rhode Island State census of 1885 was 2,659, and that of Warwick was 13,286. A Coast Survey map of Greenwich Bay, showing the location of the proposed improvement, is here with inclosed. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, U. S. A. W. R. LIVERMORE, REPORT OF CAPTAIN THOMAS L. CASEY, CORPS OF ENGINEERS. ENGINEER OFFICE, U. S. ARMY, Newport, R. I., October 20, 1888. MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of a preliminary examination of the bar near Long Point, harbor of East Greenwich, R. I. October 19 I proceeded to East Greenwich and was conveyed in a row-boat to the bar in question, which is a submarine continuation of Long Point. Between Long Point and the opposite shore there is a spar-buoy in the position marked on the ac companying diagram. The tide was at low stage at the time the soundings were taken. The latter indicate low-water depths of from 3 to 7 feet from Long Point to the spar-buoy, between which and the opposite shore there is ample depth for purposes of navigation. I understood that the depth of water was entirely satisfactory, but that it was desired to widen the channel, which is rather crooked, by taking off a portion of the bar extending out from Long Point. This could be easily accomplished with an expenditure of about $2,000, giving a low-water depth of 10 feet over a channel width twice as wide as that at present in use. It was stated that about 5,000 tons of coal are landed here every year and the total commerce amounts to perhaps $25,000. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Maj. W. R. LIVERMORE, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. THOS. L. CASEY, Captain Engineers. |